Pancit Habhab

Aside for the longganisa, Lucban is also famous for Pancit Habhab. To me, it looked the same to Pancit Bato from Bicol. You know what's different? They way they eat it. They say the proper way to eat it is just straight from the banana leaf. No fork, no plate. Just you and your lips vs. the noodles. Awesome right?

So yeah, this is the staple snack here in Lucban. Always available. Everywhere. I was able to try it this time. Straight from the banana leaf, sprinkled with spicy vinegar, utensil-less, I nom-med the noodles. So proud of myself. I also got to meet the most famous cook of Pancit Habhab in town. She shouts "Panciiiittttt!" in a every high soprano tone to attract customers. Cool eh?

Kiping

Nope, it doesn't mean putting things away for safety. Haha. Kiping is made of rice paste and shaped like a leaf. It also has bright colors and comes in different sizes. Lucban residents use it to decorate their houses during Pahiyas Festival. What's the best thing about it? You can actually eat it.

Lucban Longganisa

My mom is from Tarlac. And us having Kapampangan blood, we were all used to eating sweet, garlicky and peppery longganisa. So the first time I ate Lucban longganisa, it kinda felt weird. It's not sweet, just garlicky. On my first trip here, I took some home and they felt weird eating it too. I later learned that this longganisa was supposed to be eaten with Lucban vinegar. So that's the catch. The vinegar and garlic tastes good together. Anyway, I don't know how to explain the taste, what I know it that I love this longganisa now. Haha.

Last December, a dozen of longganisa was being sold for Php65.00. This time, prices went up and they are now selling it for Php70.00. Five pesos isn't so bad. We went to their neighbor (Jeff said it's the most famous longganisa maker in town) and bought twenty dozens. Hahaha.

Salud's Halo-halo

Lucban is just at the foot of Mt. Banahaw which gives them the always cool weather, plus the often rain showers. But it's summer. Who can ever deny that? Jeff said it's warmer now in Lucban than when he was younger. Oh well, it's still cooler than Manila, and take note, even cooler than Antipolo. So I'd take anything I can.

Back in Manila, he told me that he'll take me to Salud's. It's an old halo-halo stand that every Lucban resident knows. What's surprising is that visitors from other places go here too to have a taste of the famous halo halo. Again, I do not know the exact address. So when you get to Lucban, find the church and asked for directions. I'm pretty sure you'll find it.

The Original Buddy's

Before I met Jeff, I only ate at Buddy's once. It's because one time, McDonald's and Jollibee in my office are so full and it left me with no choice but eat at Buddy's. Haha. I used to work in Tycoon Center in Ortigas. It's the first branch of Buddy's in Manila. Later in our trip, I learned that the owner of the famous Lucban restaurant was Tita Letty's high school classmate. I told Jeff to get her as one of the ninangs on our wedding next year. LOLS.

Last time we were in Lucban, which was December 2010, we also had breakfast here. That time I still don't eat pork so I had to order some bangus dish. Now, for our first breakfast in Lucban, we went here again. And this time, I get to eat pork. And Lucban longganisa! Yay!

Ground Zero: House of Pizza

So I was once again a plus one. Went with Jeff and his family in Lucban, Quezon for the Pahiyas Festival. We left Manila around 4:30PM and arrived there at 7:30PM. They say that's relatively a short trip. Jeff's family has a house in Lucban. His mom grew up there before studying college in the University of the Philippines. I don't know if Tita Letty goes home everyday from school. I bet she didn't. Anyway, their house is in the town proper, just a few metres away from the church. I was so excited to go there to see a festival. I have never seen a festival which is kinda weird because I live in Angono, the home of the Higantes Festival.

And what do you do when there's fiesta? You eat. Here's what we nom-med in Lucban.

Located somewhere near the church, or the plaza (I seriously don't remember where), we walked towards this pizza place to grab some dinner. We had some deep crust pizza which is kinda sweet. Maybe too much tomato? The place looks really awesome. It looks like a cave! Or a drainage where the Ninja Turtles live. And where pizza is always available. Haha!

OMG: Oh My Gulay!

Capping our trip was dinner at a very interesting place. It's called Oh My Gulay! at La Azotea Bldg. along Session Road. My friend King told me to visit this place, as well as Jeff's friend. So after killing time in Camp John Hay and walking around Burnham Park, we went to OMG. The building doesn't have an elevator so we had to walk up to the penthouse. I was panting and said that the food should be really worth the climb.

Sorry for the pictures I took. I know it didn't give justice to the awesomeness of the place. And the food were very unique. And affordable too. They only serve vegetarian dish, but whether you are a vegetarian or not, you still must visit them. Seriously.

OMG!

Strawberries and Ice Cream

After having lunch at Don Henrico's, we checked out at the hotel and left our stuff with them. Our bus to Manila leaves at 10PM. Yep, that late. So we went to PMA to kill time. An hour or so later, we went to Camp John Hay again. I wasn't able to see the place last night so we went back. We had ice cream first before going around.

Don Henrico's

Jeff told me that Don Henrico's was from Baguio. I didn't believe him so I had to check the internet, and yes, it's really from Baguio. The first branch was opened in 1993 along Session Road (which was the branch we visited). So on our last day in Baguio, while I was craving for McDonald's chicken nuggets, we went to Don Henrico's. Labo diba? Haha. Anyway, here are a few pictures.

Baguio Shopping

Well, for a two-day trip, I think I spent five to six thousand pesos. That covers the hotel, food, more food and pasalubong shopping. I think it's very Filipino to buy stuff and bring it home to your family and friends. So anyway, I think these are a couple of things that you can buy in Baguio as pasalubong.

Our hotel, Villa Rosal, was just across the public market. It's located at lower Gen. Luna Road cor Magsaysay Road. It was very easy for me and Jeff to have three trips to the market for our pasalubongs. Yep, three visits. When you get here, kids will come up to you and ask you if you want to buy 'sako bags'. These are bags that are made up of cement sacks which costs Php10.00. We bought two. And then the same kid will ask you if you want them to carry your stuff. Okay that's odd, I can carry my stuff. And they're so tiny. So don't let them do it. Nah, it's just me.

So here are the stuff that you can buy at Baguio City Market.

Little John's at Mile Hi Center

My cousin texted me that we should visit Mile Hi. I told him I've no idea where that place was and asked where we can have dinner. He told me we should visit Forest House. It was a bit far from our hotel and when we arrived, the front desk told us that we need reservations. Not a good way to shoo two hungry people. So Jeff suggested we go to Camp John Hay. We took a cab and went there. The driver was stopped somewhere with a bonfire and a band but Jeff said he should take us further down. I was surprised that there's something more down there near The Manor. There were a lot of outlet stores, a coffee shop and a few restaurants. We thought of having burgers but I noticed Little John's. I remember reading about it but I didn't pay much attention. So after we visited all the outlet stores, we sat down and ate.

Little John's at Mile Hi Inn.

Baguio Street Food

When I was a kid, my parents told me that street food are dirty so we shouldn't eat it. I actually didn't believe them. I think I've tried a lot of street food when I was in kindergarten. The only thing I never tried was that grilled chunk of blood and the drinks. Jeff and I tried three of the most popular street food in Baguio.